England and Wales Cricket Board has forged a partnership with the football’s anti-discrimination organization, ‘Kick It Out’, to tackle racism in sport while building a more inclusive cricketing environment.
ECB update on the implementation of cricket’s action plan to tackle racism and promote inclusion in the game ⬇️
— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) January 25, 2022
It’s a part of an ECB action plan that consists of a wide range of recommendations which includes a review of dressing-room cultures across English cricket.
The ECB said in its update of the action plan that they are working with Kick It Out for carrying out research and recognizing areas where they can offer expertise in developing and executing plans in order to create a more inclusive cricketing environment.
It is the first time Kick It Out worked outside football and the partnership is supported with funding from Sky (British Broadcasters).
Sky promised 100,000 pounds to the project that will come after a parliamentary committee releases a report earlier this month that racism is “deeply seated” in English cricket and the sport needs to clear up its act.
It followed the report of former Yorkshire player Azeem Rafiq’s emotional testimony to the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) select committee regarding the racist abuse he faced during two stints at the famous club, starting in 2008 and ending in 2018.
The ECB said that it’s managing a full review of dressing room culture in all men’s and women’s professional teams, both domestic and international.
The review is going to be led by the Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor along with Ashley Giles, Managing Director of Men’s Cricket, first-class countries, Professional Cricketers Association (PCA), and external experts.
Dressing room cultures across elite cricket in England and Wales will be examined and make recommendations to address discriminatory attitudes and behaviors.
ECB said that in February, the review will begin and run across the 2022 season (when dressing rooms are active) with the final report due in September.
